Friday, July 3, 2026
ADVT 
National

Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Sep, 2020 08:04 PM
  • Parties agree on hybrid Commons sittings

The House of Commons will sit this fall with most MPs participating by video link so they can stay physically apart during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government House leader Pablo Rodriguez introduced a motion to set the rules for "hybrid" sittings as the Commons sat for the first time in months Wednesday afternoon.

Those include having MPs vote via video conference until a secure remote voting application for smartphones is ready, and reducing the number of members who have to be physically present for quorum.

The plan also includes reconstituting committees such as a special body examining Canada-China relations.

The Conservatives had argued for in-person sittings only, with limited numbers of MPs in the chamber, and had opposed electronic voting.

But the MPs present Wednesday, including Tories, approved the plan unanimously.

The arrangement is to stay in place until Dec. 11, though MPs could vote to extend it then.

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll

Canada united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll
Canadians believe the COVID-19 crisis has brought their country together, while Americans blame the pandemic for worsening their cultural and political divide, a new international public opinion survey suggests.

Canada united, U.S. divided by COVID-19: poll

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities
A new alert system that will issue emergency messages to residents in five Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq communities is the first of its kind among Indigenous peoples in Canada, according to developers.

Alert system ready for N.S. Mi'kmaq communities

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is stepping in to ensure an advisory panel tasked with overseeing the segregation of federal inmates will get the data it needs to do its job.

Prison oversight panel to get its data: Blair

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client
The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit arrested an adult male masseur after an allegation of sexual assault during a massage.

New Westminster Police arrest masseur accused of sexually assaulting a client

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death
A two-vehicle collision that occurred in Vancouver last week has resulted in the death of a 24-year-old man from Vancouver.

Vancouver police investigating that city’s 4th motor related death

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review
A review of services offered to injured workers in British Columbia makes more than 100 recommendations to improve communication, care and individual services at the Workers' Compensation Board.

Amend B.C. Workers Compensation Act: review